There something nice about operating a spigot.  It just makes you feel like you’re really doing something old world like.  The BrewTender Tabletop Beer & Beverage Dispenser holds 80 ounces of your favorite chilled beverage and allows people to serve themselves.

Featuring built in lights to illuminate the beverage of choice the Brewtender also has a Lazy Susan style swiveling base for those hard of reach.  This well designed gadget also has a separate ice chamber so your precious liquids go undiluted.

Guaranteed to make you cooler that you were (pun intended), the BrewTender is on sale now for $60.

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Even though winter isn’t generally known for sun, a beefy array of Christmas lights will always run up your electricity bill.  These solar powered lights might be a great alternative for those on a budget but not willing to cut out the holiday cheer.  However, the cost of this expensive item may really  outweigh the potential savings on your electric bill.  On sale now for $65 per 102 light strand.

Unlike standard outdoor holiday lights that must be tethered to an electric source, these solar powered lights can be strung anywhere in your yard. A small solar panel stakes into the ground up to 7′ away from the light strand and powers 102 bright LEDs for up to nine hours after an eight-hour charge. Seven different light patterns dance along the strand in succession, or you can select your favorite sequence to flash continuously or have the lights provide steady illumination with the touch of a button. The solar panel gathers moderate or direct sunlight during the daytime and automatically turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. The 32′ 9″-long strand provides enough slack to adorn trees, railings, or lampposts. The LEDs are rated for 10,000 hours of operation.

[via RandomGoodStuff]

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Shiver me timbers.  I don’t know if any power outage or apocalypse calls the for a $300 flashlight, but no matter, mPower Emergency Illuminator (flashlight) has plans to go on sale next March.

But it ain’t your garden variety flashlight.  Heck, it ain’t even equitable to the most advanced Maglite.  Designed by the Porsche Design Studio, each tube contains a set of batteries.  The first tube has a set of replaceable and rechargeable CR123 batteries, while the other tube contains a non-rechargeable “OnCommand Reserve Battery” that the company says has a 20-year shelf life.  There’s also a USB port for charging your portable gadgets when in a pinch.  To replace the ‘reserve battery’ you’ll need to drop $25, but that’s nothing when you consider the comfort you’ll take in knowing that you’ve got light 20 years down the road.

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Well hello novelty, at least according to one commenter on the linked product page.  The LED Credit Card Pocket Light is small enough to fit into a wallet and uses a 3V built in battery to power its light source – not sure how you recharge it, though.  My mom might enjoy this product for reading menus in dark restaurants, but beyond that its practical applications have to be few and far between.

Meritline currently has it on sale for $3.99 including shipping.

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All right, road warriors, pay attention–because this is some really awesome news, especially if you have to do a lot of time-zone hopping in the course of your travels.  This is also awesome for anyone with a hugely variable schedule that requires you to work, and sleep, at different times every day.

We’re talking about Daylight Savers from Flinders Tech, glasses with a pair of bright blue LED lights that shine directly into your eyes, causing a delay in your circadian rhythm.  Now, circadian rhythms are those things that generally cause you to get tired at the same time every day, or wake up at about the same time every day, or even get hungry at certain times.

There are literally dozens of different uses for this product, though I have to wonder about the long term effects of artificially altering your circadian rhythms. However, for people whose time clocks are already out of whack, this could be the answer to your prayers.

They’re not yet ready for market, so there’s no pricing or release data, but they hope to have them available within the next year.

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If you’ve looked at your job and thought, you know, it’s great here and all, but what we need are more random Jedi duels, then do I have the gadget for you!

Five words: Star Wars Lightsaber Laser Pointers.

I know, I just said a whole volume of geektastic joy in one handy little five-word burst, but it is exactly what I said it is, a red laser pointer (what, no color options?  Can’t I have something other than Sith Red?  Why no love for any of the half-dozen or so Jedi colors?) that projects a small beam of red light.  Call attention to points in your PowerPoint presentation.  Freak out your cat.  Grab a magnifying glass and try in vain to fry ants.  Stage duels on your lunch break.

There are so many uses for this, but the clearest use of all is to clearly denote that YOU, sir (or ma’am as the case may be) are a serious Star Wars fan, true believer.  And if you’ve got $14.99, you too can slice up your choice of foes.

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There aren’t too many iPhone apps out there that get me hot and bothered, let alone some DIY kit to go along with it.  But John Boile’s WiFi Router light dimmer, called Dimlit, has flipped the attention switch in my brain.

Attached to a WiFi router (aside from circuit boards and wiring) are 4 AC outlets.  Plug in any light and the router can control their voltage by using the accompanying iPhone app, which allows you to adjust the lights in variety of manners using a set of slider bars, tapping a button or waving the phone around in the air (accelerometer).  Hit the video below for a complete walk through, which includes the whitest dance party you’ll ever see.

Read

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This time of year, glow in the dark anything gets just a little extra street cred, but even I can’t help but wonder if this is going just a bit too far.  It’s called the LiteCube, and it is basically what it looks like, a lighted ice cube.  They’re made of sealed acrylic plastic with an LED light inside.  They cost a whopping $2.40 each, and you get a quantity discount if you order over 24, then another price break at 288.

If you throw a lot of outdoor parties, or parties in low light, then the lighted drink special might be exactly the kind of thing you want.

Plus, Glowsource, the company that makes these, also offers plenty of other light-up bar supplies, like stir sticks and olive picks, among a host of others.  So for all your light-up bar needs…well…I think about the only place you CAN think of would be Glowsource.

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By now we’ve all heard about the benefit to keeping a light or two on in the house when you’re away so as to discourage burglars.  But the problem with this is that, one, you leave a light burning nonstop and you boost your power bill, and two, the burglars may eventually figure out that it’s the same light in your house that’s always on.  Thus, some turn to timers to make their lights switch on and off at prearragned times, and one of the best is the Emerson Digital SmartSet Lamp Control Security Timer.

This remote will actually allow you to PROGRAM your lamps to come on at different times of day, much like how you would if you were home personally.  You don’t turn your lamp on promptly at eight PM every night–some nights you’re five minutes late, or ten minutes early, or an hour late.  The Emerson will actually allow you to simulate that, being programmable to turn devices on and off at certain times.

You can even set the device to “random” operation and the preprogrammed times will be varied by as much as an hour and fifteen minutes either way.

I have to admit, if I did more traveling, I might well want a device like this in my house, trying to fool burglars into believing I’m home, even when I’m not.

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For those of you survivalists out there compiling your “apocalypse gear” collection, this may be the flashlight you have been dreaming about.  Harnessing an appropriately titled Flashpoint Power Technology, the flashlight uses environmentally friendly ultracapacitors to help manage the the flow of energy in terms of performance and run time.  So without the help of actual conventional batteries this 5.11 tactical flashlight can be fully charged in 90 seconds.

With that full charge you get 23.5 hours of continuous light.  Sounds freaking amazing to me and if there is any downside to this awesome technology it would have to be the $170 price tag.  Even so, check out the specs below if you’re still not sold.

• Recharges in 90 seconds
• No batteries – uses ultra-capacitors, no memory loss
• Made of a firearm-grade high-strength polymer
• Impact, abrasion, and water resistant
• Contains 3 LEDs rated for more than 50,000 hours
• Will charge and hold its charge 50,000 times
• 4 output options: Standard (90 lumens), Peak (270 lumens), Strobe and Standby
• 12 Volt DC Charger, Plastic Belt Ring with Nylon Strap, and a mounting bracket
• Size: 11.5″ x 1.75″ diameter

[via TheGreenHead]

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You know, I can’t imagine how anyone might have thought this was a good idea, but in the early stages of design is a product that brings together a clothespin with an LED light.  Dubbed the Lighting Pin, it was never meant to be used for hanging clothes, but rather as a simple, go-anywhere book or task light.  It’s just a clip on light, much like the kind you see in garages  only much smaller and simpler to use.

It’s actually fairly powerful–you can see above that, when used with a bit of paper, you can actually get a tiny lamp out of the thing.  And I believe that, under other circumstances, this might have been a great idea, but no.  Not this one, not as long as flashlights are still cheap and plentiful.

But someday, this may be exactly what we need, even if we don’t know it yet.

Oh, and if you follow those links, try the via first–it’ll actually warn you that the read is a processor-hungry Flash-intensive monster, so you may not want to hit that one unless you’ve cleared some memory first.

[via WIRED]

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Late last month Joby launched the GorillaMobile, a tripod built specifically for your mobile devices (think camera or mobile phone).  Today, the company announced the Gorillatorch, a 65 lumen white LED flash light mounted to a set of Joby’s patented flexible and bendable legs – and they tossed magnetic feet.  Joby will include 3 AA batteries for your convenience and a slider switch that allows you to adjust its brightness while saving battery life.  The 8-inch, 9oz torch will ship sometime this September and retail for about $30.

Full release after the ‘leap’

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – August 18, 2009 – Joby, the world renowned designer of the Gorillapod™ line
of innovative camera tripods, is pleased to announce the Gorillatorch™.  Expanding the Joby family of
unique, creativity‐inspiring solutions for the consumer, the Gorillatorch casts a focused beam of intense
light and allows you to illuminate any target, hands‐free.  Straying away from traditional flashlight
design, the Gorillatorch is mounted on Joby’s award‐winning bendable and flexible legs comprised of
medical‐grade ABS plastic and German TPE rubber.  Combined with its powerful magnetic feet, the
Gorillatorch will grip to virtually anything.

The Gorillatorch’s lamp is powered by the three included AA batteries and allows
the user to dictate brightness with the easy slide dimmer feature.  Choose
maximum power for 65 lumens of white LED light or turn the knob for more
delicate or energy‐saving applications.  Its compact and lightweight design allows
for easy storage in a kitchen drawer or camping backpack.

“The Gorillatorch finally corrects the obvious flaws in flashlight design we have all
dealt with for years,” said Joby CEO Forrest Baringer‐Jones. “Whether you need
some hands‐free light in the attic, under the hood of the car, on a hike, or in your
studio, the Gorillatorch’s applications are as numerous as your imagination will
allow.  I can’t wait to see the many still undiscovered applications for the
Gorillatorch our incredibly creative customers come up with.”

The Gorillatorch weighs under 9 ounces, is 8‐inches tall, has a MSRP of $29.95 ‐ $34.95, and features a 1
year limited warranty.  The product will ship in September and will be available globally.

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Stick one of these in the back of your car and you’ll be loved or hated, but either way you’ll get your point across.  The Light Hand Gestures uses electroluminescent technology to display 7 different…shall we say ‘moods’, that can be changed by a wireless remote.  It will apparently never burn out and it attaches via a set of suction cups and can be programmed to cycle through all 7 gestures in set intervals, or you can choose the most appropriate one given the scenario. Available now for $40.

[via Nerdapproved]

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The folks over at Eternaleds, Inc. recently announced the debut of their HydraLux-4 LED light bulb, a light bulb that could change the way we live! (okay, perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit).

The liquid-cooling technology used in HydraLux-4 LED is the first of its kind. The bulb is surrounded by liquid, making overheating virtually impossible and cool to the touch no matter how long they’ve been on. LEDs are known to be far more energy efficient than the standard CFL bulbs, which don’t provide a full range of light. Fortunately this new invention gives a full 360 degrees of light.

While, the $35 price tag per bulb may cause sticker shock, the life time and efficiency of this bulb almost makes up for it. At 8 hours a day, the HydraLux-4 only costs $1.75 per year to run and uses 4w compared to the common 25w of incandescent bulbs; from there you can do the math. Furthermore, they’re rated for over 35,000 of use, that’s almost 4 years.

One great thing I like about the HydraLux-4 LED bulb is that it’s completely dimmable. If dimming is not enough, you can even choose from two available colors; Warm White and Daylight White and even install these bad boys outside.

If its pushes through, Eternaleds is planning to release 8w, 12w and 16w versions of HydraLux by the end of 2009. Each purchased bulb comes with a 2-yr warranty and 30 day money-back guarantee. Nothing is brighter and more reassuring than that!

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Got a friend or family member that watches countless hours of alien abduction TV shows on Natgeo or the Discovery Channel?  Well have I got the perfect gift for them: the Alien Abduction lamp.  Not only is the “Bovine Abductee” completely removable, but it features a glowing cockpit complete with aliens peering out of the window and get this, real fake grass!  You can pre-order register to receive one of the 2,000 limited edition lamps now, but the price has yet to be announced.

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Trying to add a little panache to your living room?  Or perhaps you’re opening a trendy bar and wanna set yourself apart from the competition?  The Motorlight from Jake Dyson features a motorized arc that can be adjusted from 10 to 120 degrees providing a ‘narrow or wide shaft’ of light to be projected on to the wall.  Up to 30 lights can be simultaneously manipulated via the remote, which also includes a brightness control.  They’re supposedly available now in select retail stores and start at around $400, although its not clear how many you get.

[via Core77]

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This alien like probe is in fact a light that runs on soil.  The same stuff you put your feet on everyday (unless your in NYC or don’t leave your apartment) contains ‘energy conducive metals like zinc, copper and iron, and microbial fuel cells [that] are capable of converting electrolytes in soil into usable energy’.  Inside the device are conductive copper and zinc plates that draw energy from the soil and in theory can eternally power an LED light.  To add more power, or at least replenish the soil’s powers, just add a dash of water.

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If you’re outdoors in the dark, you’ll probably need a flashlight. Unfortunately, almost every flashlight is built the same way as a long tube. This makes it convenient to carry, but makes it less convenient to prop up anywhere. Even worse is that most flashlights are cumbersome to carry due to their long length. If you want a small, more compact flashlight that comes with a built-in stand, you might want to look at the Altus Lumen PAD-L.

Departing from the traditional tube design of most flashlights, the PAD-L more closely resembles the rectangular form factor of an iPod. This makes it easy to slip into a pocket and hold in your hand comfortably. Tapping a button in the side gives you four different levels of illumination ranging from low to high.
Unlike other flashlights, the PAD-L includes a hinged cover and metal stand that swings out, allowing you to prop this light on the ground to free your hands from holding it. By adjusting this metal stand, you can aim the light at different angles, which can be perfect when you’re working in the dark by yourself and can’t spare a hand to hold an ordinary flashlight to illuminate a specific area. To power this device, you just need four AAA batteries that fit under a metal cover that you can screw shut.

Besides being an interesting flashlight in its own right, the PAD-L may also appeal to your environmental concerns. The aluminum case is made from recycled materials, the LED light is up to 40 percent more efficient than ordinary lights, and the LED lights contain no mercury or other heavy metals that could leak into the environment.

Whether you care about its “green” environmental impact or not, the PAD-L is a handy flashlight to keep around the house or when traveling. Its small size makes it easy to slip into a purse or pocket when you’re going to be out at night. Although you can attach a string to its adjustable metal stand, it would be more convenient if the case itself offered a built-in clip so you could tie it to a belt loop or keychain.

The device does come with a carrying case, which does have a built-in metal loop, but when the light is tucked into its carrying case, you can’t use it.
The case could also use some ergonomic consideration. It looks and feels like a clunky metal box designed by the military. It would be nice if it were curved or shaped to contour more closely within the grip of a typical hand.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the PAD-L is a unique type of flashlight that’s perfect for taking everywhere you need light. If you need a small light that can stand up on its own, or if you want to use an environmentally friendly light, then the PAD-L should replace or supplement your current flashlight.

Pros:

• Small form factor that makes it easy to carry and hold
• Comes with a carrying case
• Built-in adjustable metal stand
• Four levels of illumination
• Environmentally friendly materials

Cons:

• Could use an ergonomic design to make it more comfortable to hold
• Would be nice to have a way to attach this device to something with a built-in clip without tucking it in its carrying case
• Small size can make it easy to misplace

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SR Electronics latest light ring, the FlexRing 6400, might just burn the crap out of your retinas if you don’t strap on a welder’s mask.  Composed of 64 white LEDs – 32 in the center ring and 16 on each arm – it be attached to any camera, adjusted for light or flash mode and triggered via an attached PC or hot shoe.  The arms are fully adjustable meaning your object, or subject should come out picture perfect every time.  It comes standard with a 72mm mounting thread, but additional step rings are available.

The Digi-Slave FlexRing 6400 is available for $395.95.

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Water and technology have their place with one and other, but often they go together like tuna and peanut butter.  What exactly do I mean?  Get your tech wet and usually it’s fried.  The Cromobox LED shower door however, is the perfect combination of bathtub fun and LED lighting.  The glass doors are embedded with LEDs and can be adjusted to reflect your mood or setting.  Flip on the Barry White and go Red for that romantic scene or perhaps cool down with a Blue hue.

I’m not sure if they’ll ever officially come to market, but I’m sure those residing in the Hollywood Hills would be all over these things.

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